Hay River (Sep 13/04) - The Biggest Fiddling and Jigging Championship North of 60 returned to Hay River on the Labour Day weekend for the first time since 2000.

"I think it was a good success," says Sharon Pekok, the program co-ordinator at Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre, which sponsored the event. "Because of the turnout at this one, we will definitely have it next year."

In all, 35 competitors performed in youth and adult fiddling, and youth, adult and senior jigging for $10,000 in prizes.

Pekok says she was pleased with the turnout, noting there were up to 40 competitors the last time the event was held. "So we're really not too far off."

One of those competitors, Rob Genaille of Fort Smith, says he enjoyed the excitement around the championship.

"It was awesome. There was good fiddling and good jigging," he says.

Genaille, who competed in the adult jigging division, is a two-time Alberta champion in the Red River Jig and has taught two national champions.

"It's a highly competitive jig in the Metis community," he says.

Performers from all over

Along with six performers from Hay River, there were many from other NWT communities -- Yellowknife, Fort Resolution, Wrigley, Lutsel K'e, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson.

The event also attracted performers from the Alberta towns of High Level, Meander River, Paddle Prairie and Garden River, and from Prince George, B.C.

Pekok says there were between 400-500 spectators at the two days of competition Sept. 4 and 5.

The championship had been held in Hay River from 1996-2000 until rising costs put it in a three-year hiatus.